Credito alle imprese, accordo Sicindustria-Bper

An agreement between Sicindustria and Bper Banca was signed in Palermo, with the aim of making it faster and easier for companies to access credit for investments. The framework agreement, signed by Luigi Rizzolo, president of Sicindustria, and Salvatore Pulignano, regional director of Bper Banca for Calabria and Sicily, focuses on several key sectors of the Sicilian economy: energy and environment, agroalimentary, tourism, and blue economy.

The latter emphasizes the port system, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors, which are crucial for strengthening Sicily's connection to international markets.

The support for investments will also cover energy efficiency, the development of renewable sources, digitalization, cybersecurity, and innovation in Industry 4.0. To help companies navigate the opportunities presented by the Union for the Mediterranean, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, and the Structural Funds, information and consultation activities will be provided.

For industrialists, the goal is to make available the tools necessary for investment, reducing uncertainty in decision-making. Rizzolo emphasized that companies need both assurance that resources are available and certainty about the timing and conditions of access to credit.

The annual agreement, with automatic renewal, includes meetings on the territory, workshops, and thematic tables to identify the needs of different sectors. Businesses will have access to sustainable finance instruments, public and European guarantees, and solutions to support financial relationships along the supply chains. Additionally, tools to address major business risks, including computer-related risks and those associated with catastrophic events, will be provided.

For Bper, the agreement is part of supporting the transformations of the regional production system, with a focus on the green transition, agroalimentary sector, and blue economy.

To access the agreement's conditions, companies must present an attestation of registration with Sicindustria issued within the last three months. They can approach the association's offices or Bper's branches and Centres for Enterprises located in Sicily.